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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

“LET’S TAKE A RIDE!” Review: American Ride

Host of AMERICAN RIDE, Stan Ellsworth breaks the mold of the stereotypical High School history teacher.

Former history teacher Stan Ellsworth tours the country on a Harley Davidson for the television show “American Ride.” Ellsworth’s approach to American history in AMERICAN RIDE removes the “bow tie and sweater vest” of history professors, puts on the “skull rag and denim vest” and breaks down stereotypes.

His adventurous spirit and love for the United States is contagious and engaging.
His approach is more like an invitation to walk (and ride) with him through the footsteps of history.
He hopes the stories and “postcards” from the highways and byways of the country will make American history relevant to today’s audiences, and motivate them to take an active part in the preservation of the values this country was built upon.

Now in the sixth season, Stan takes you across the world to see how the clouds of war gathered once again and what led America to enter WWII. New episodes air each Monday 9PM ET/ 7PM MT on BYUtv. If you’ve missed any episodes, you can catch up with all of the previous seasons online anytime at BYUtv

My opinion:Reading the description of the television show, I wondered what more would I be able to say. That the historical information is correct, that the "teaching material" is appropriate? This is somewhat obvious from the fact that Stan is a real history teacher and thus he ensures that the information is accurate.

I think for (at least) two reasons the series is welcome:

1. The younger generation (and not only the young one) is getting increasingly less knowledge about the world and its history. Today, learning from books seems to have become a chore and having in view that the beholders of the historical moments are now very few (WW II), the risk of forgetting what happened is very high. And, if we forget, we risk repeating the same mistakes.

2. Widespread idea is that motorcycle men are most likely outlaws. Now, on the one hand, is served an (other) evidence that prejudices are good to be forgotten, and on the other hand that being different, eventually a "motorcycle bad boy", does not mean you're a bad person or illiterate.

I couldn’t see many episodes, but I will soon, even if I would have liked a bit more "bad-boy air", more inter / action, and more connections between Harley and historical moments presented. I think the series is welcome for those who want to know even a little about their history or the world and at the same time not look nerdy.

Live free and ride with Stan!

ABOUT STAN ELLSWORTH

The 6’ 2”, 300-lb muscle-clad Harley Davidson-riding host of BYUtv’s acclaimed American history program, American Ride, would like nothing better than to inspire the next generation of George Washingtons, Susan B. Anthonys and Thomas Jeffersons. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in the Carolinas, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Pennsylvania, Ellsworth was steeped in the landmarks and stories of American history throughout his formative years. His family lineage includes such historic luminaries as Revolutionary War patriot Ethan Allen; both Generals of the Cival War, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant (also the 18th president of the U.S.); and American folk heroes Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.

Ellsworth’s goal—both when he was in the classroom, and now in his weekly television program—has always been to “wake people up” to the stories of our founding fathers and mothers, and to the sacriﬁces they made in creating this nation. In his gruff baritone voice, he speaks eloquently of our heritage and extols the wisdom and bravery of those who came before.